Dec. 3, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. –

Rankings
Golfstat – No. 14
Golfweek – No. 14
Golf World/NGCA – No. 16

Cougar Classic
The Gamecocks opened the fall season with a sixth place finish at the Cougar Classic in Charleston, S.C. Junior Justine Dreher, who competed as an individual, tied for sixth place after shooting a 2-under 214. Senior Samantha Swinehart recorded the first top-ten finish of her career as she tied for 10^th place. Swinehart shot an even-par 216 and recorded an ace on the No. 6 hole, which was the only ace of tournament. Senior Suzie Lee finished the tournament in a tie for 19^th place with a score of 218 (+2).

Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship
South Carolina’s best performance of the fall was a second place finish at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate in Knoxville, Tenn. The Gamecocks finished with a two-round score of 571 (+3); the tournament was shorted due to rain. Three golfers also posted individual top-10 finishes for the Garnet and Black including a new career-best finish for Swinehart as she tied for second place with a 2-under 140. Sophomore Mary Fran Hillow recorded the first top-10 finish of her career as she claimed seventh place as she shot a 1-under 141 and freshman Katelyn Dambaugh carded an even-par 142 to finish in a tie for eighth place in just her second collegiate appearance. Sophomore Sarah Schmelzel finished just shy of the top-10 as she tied for 12^th place with a score of 143 (+1).

Tar Heel Invitational
In Chapel Hill, N.C., the Gamecocks faced some of their toughest competition of the season at the Tar Heel Invitational as they competed against 11 ranked teams including four of the then top-five. South Carolina finished in a tie for 5^th place with Alabama and Clemson with a score of 878 (+14). Dreher finished highest on the individual leaderboard in seventh place with a 2-under 214.

Landfall Tradition
The Gamecocks wrapped up their fall schedule at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, N.C., securing their fourth straight top-10 finish and third straight top-five finish of the fall as they claimed fourth place. Dambaugh led the way for the Gamecocks earning her first career top-five finish as she tied for fourth place with a 3-over 219.

Against Ranked Opponents
South Carolina posted a 15-10-2 record against ranked opponents. Twice during the fall the Gamecocks placed higher than a team ranked in the top five.

Against SEC Opponents
The Gamecocks faced 10 Southeastern Conference opponents and finished with a 14-6-1 record.

To The Top
The Gamecocks combined for nine top-20 finishes, seven top-10 finishes and two top-5 finishes through four tournaments.

On Par
All six golfers who competed this fall combined for 21 rounds of par or better. Dambaugh and Swinehart accounted for five apiece.

Making History
The Gamecocks tied the school record for low 18-hole score with a 279 in the first round of the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship. In the opening round of the Cougar Classic, South Carolina shot a 285, which ties the seventh best low 18-hole score in school history and helped them to finish with a total score of 872, which ranks as the fifth best low 54-hole score.

Looking Ahead
South Carolina will kick off its spring schedule Feb. 14-16 at the Florida State Matchup in Tallahassee, Fla. The Gamecocks will then host the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate in Hilton Head Island, S.C. March 7-9.

Complete Rankings
Golfstat (As of 11/20/13)
1. Southern California
2. UCLA
3. Duke
4. Washington
5. Oklahoma
6. Alabama
7. Arizona State
8. Arkansas
9. Oklahoma State
10. Stanford
11. Pepperdine
12. Clemson
13. Arizona
14. South Carolina
15. Vanderbilt
16. Florida
17. Oregon
18. NC State
19. Northwestern
20. Michigan State
21. Kentucky
22. Iowa State
23. Kent State
24. LSU
25. Wake Forest

Golfweek (As of 11/7/13)
1. UCLA
2. Southern California
3. Duke
4. Washington
5. Stanford
6. Pepperdine
7. Arizona State
8. Oklahoma
9. Arkansas
10. Alabama
11. Oklahoma State
12. Arizona
13. Clemson
14. South Carolina
15. Vanderbilt
16. Oregon
17. Kentucky
18. Florida
19. Iowa State
20. Northwestern
21. NC State
22. LSU
23. UCF
24. Michigan State
25. Mississippi State

Golf World/NGCA Division I College Women’s Coaches Poll (As of 10/21/13)
1. Southern California
2. UCLA
3. Oklahoma State
4. Oklahoma
5. Duke
6. Alabama
7. Arizona State
8. Arkansas
9. Arizona
10. Stanford
11. Washington
12. NC State
13. Clemson
14. Florida
15. North Carolina
16. South Carolina
17. Vanderbilt
18. Pepperdine
19. Tulane
20. Iowa State
21. California
22. Michigan State
23. Kentucky
24. Ohio State
25. Virginia